China jet makes emergency landing after bomb scare

Beijing: A passenger jet flying from the capital of China`s restive Xinjiang region to the south of the country was forced to make an emergency landing after an apparent bomb threat, state media said on Thursday.

The China Southern Airlines flight from Urumqi to Guangzhou landed without incident late yesterday in Lanzhou, capital of the northwestern province of Gansu, the state Xinhua news agency reported, citing security officials.

Air traffic control told police the airline had received a warning that a bomb could be on the plane, the officials said.

All 93 passengers and 18 crew were evacuated safely upon landing, the report said.

Security workers completed their search of the plane early today, but authorities have not said whether an explosive device was found.

Deadly ethnic violence erupted in Urumqi in July 2009, pitting mainly Muslim Uighurs against members of the country`s dominant Han group. Nearly 200 people were killed and 1,700 injured in the unrest.